Rowan County will have a public forum at 6 p.m. on April 12 to address issues at the animal shelter.

The public hearing will be in the second-floor meeting room of the Rowan County Administration Building. The hearing will feature Dr. Kelli Ferris a clinical assistant professor of animal welfare from North Carolina State University Veterinarian School.

Dr. Ferris specializes in animal hoarding, animal abuse and cruelty, animal welfare and disaster preparedness. Ferris has assisted the county in the past and this forum will help in assisting the county in developing new policies for the new Cat Wing and Animal Shelter.